#having longer hair doesnt equal goth metal glam rock

[pinkeoni]

"what ultimately saves him and others is his choice to be openly himself " < thoughts on how some people are having the same attitude but think it to mean he'll grow his hair out again and get edgier/more visibly queer by the end? do you see any truth in it or do you think he'll show his progression in another way? i'd love to know what was meant by openly himself 🙏 because i agree but not always how others see it, i think it's probably more like yours

Making the choice to be openly himself is mostly in regards to his queerness. I don't expect him flaunting his sexuality all over town, but finally accepting himself for who he is definitely important.

This could mean a change in outward physical appearance to reflect the inside, and that could always include longer hair, although I think Mike as himself is more nerdcore than goth metal glam rock. Even the style change of s4 was Mike conforming to something even if it was the group considered to be outsiders. From how he is styled in these bts pics (and the choice he made to profess his love to El in the monologue) we can see Mike regressing into conformity.

The thing about Mike is that his queerness is invisible, as opposed to the rest of the party whose differences are all on the surface. Will is visibly queer because he's sensitive, likes art, and dislikes "manly" activities such as baseball. I wouldn't say that Mike is super masculine, but he isn't as outwardly effeminate as Will is. Mike got the choice to be able to conform and hide his true self while the rest of the party don't have that luxury. Mike is gonna be faced with that choice, risk the potential of becoming a visible target, or hide in the shadow of conformity forever.

And I do imagine this will lend itself to whatever larger plot the show has. I imagine it'll be not just a personal decision but some big story-altering emotional climax decision that has potential world saving possibilities. Being true to yourself saves the world and all that jazz.

#mike wheeler #byler #anon #asks #edit to tags i think this was worded wierdly #having longer hair doesnt equal goth metal glam rock #mikes new style to reflect himself could have longer hair #just that his core is more of his nerdy side 👍🏻